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The Old Tug Sea Lion

by John MacFarlane and Mike Rydqvist McCammon 2019

Sea Lion

The Sea Lion in earlier days (Photo from the Nauticapedia collection.)

The Sea Lion was built in 1905 by Charles E. Robertson in Vancouver BC. 130.0’ x 22.0’ x 19.5’ (37.8m x 6.8m x 3.4m) wooden–hull She was originally powered by a 600bhp steam oil burner triple expansion 10kts (1905) In 1952 she was rebuilt with a very distinctive whistle which could play a full scale. In 1957 the second mast was removed? and re–engined with a 800hp Enterprise Diesel. In 1952 she was re–engined with 800hp Enterprise diesel from the tug Active. About 2004 she was renamed as Sea Lion IV.

Sea Lion

The Sea Lion VI at Maple Bay BC. (Photo from the Mike McCammon collection.)

In 1905–1910 she was owned by G. H. French, Vancouver BC. In 1910 she was owned by H.A. Young & Lloyd B. Gore, Vancouver BC. In 1915 she was owned by British Canadian Lumber Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1916–1963 she was owned by Young & Gore Tugboat Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1963 she was owned by Island Tug & Barge Co. Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1970 she was owned by Harold Elworthy, Victoria BC as a yacht. In 1972 she was owned by Sealion Charters Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1975–1985 she was owned by Seatech Charters Ltd., Victoria BC. In 1985 she was owned by Murray Boy as a live aboard. In 1986 she was sold to Ernie Kansler of Friday Harbour WA as a yacht. In 2004–2013 she was owned by Living Planet Experiences Un–limited, Calgary AB. (Her current ownership is not known.)

Sea Lion

The Sea Lion VI at Maple Bay BC. (Photo from the Mike McCammon collection.)

On June 2, 1945 she collided with the Coast Quarries Jr. off Sechelt BC. In 2017–2018 she was berthed at Saanichton BC and was later moved to Maple Bay BC where, in 2019, she is currently berthed.

Sea Lion

The Sea Lion VI at Maple Bay BC. (Photo from the Mike McCammon collection.)

Sea Lion

The Sea Lion VI at Maple Bay BC. (Photo from the Mike McCammon collection.)

Sea Lion

A postal cover mailed from the Sea Lion to the co–author. (Photo from the John MacFarlane collection.)

Sea Lion

The Sea Lion. (Photo from the collection of the City of Vancouver Archives.)


To quote from this article please cite:

MacFarlane, John and Mike Rydqvist McCammon (2019) The Old Tug Sea Lion. Nauticapedia.ca 2019. http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Sea_Lion.php

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